Octavio is a native New Yorker whose first swimming experience was a traumatic one. Having never been in lessons, he had a near-drowning incident when he was 10 years old that resulted in a significant fear of the water. It wasn't until he took swimming courses at Abraham Lincoln High School that he was able to overcome this phobia and soon developed a love for the water. After high school, he continued swimming at Brooklyn College, where he also began lifeguarding at local pools. Octavio graduated from Brooklyn College with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing his master's in Mental Health Counseling. He aspires to make a difference in people's lives in the mental health field. When he's away from the pool or the classroom, he enjoys eating pizza, bike riding, and playing chess.